Updated: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:44 AM

As the season rapidly winds down for another year, one has to recognize that this past summer, with the exception of June, was one of excellence for lake activities.

The clean up from last winter's ice storm seems to be pretty well accomplished with the survival of a few "topped" trees still in the balance; and the transition from the old road and numbering system to the new 911 system seems to have caused few, if any, problems.

The BPA enjoyed a productive period during the presidency of Brett Johnston and our thanks go out to him and his wife Doris for all of the effort they put into making their tenure the success it was.

The ultimate goal of the BPA, to make the lake a better place to live, has been pretty well established in past years. With your help we will make every effort to continue in the same direction. To this end, and in response to the vote taken at the annual meeting in July, a committee to follow up on the watershed has been formed. The committee is in the process of reviewing the study results in depth and the options for implementing the necessary actions to overcome some of the 135 problem areas that were reported. Many of these problems are minor and, hopefully, owners will cooperate with the committee as corrective actions are suggested.

Another source of concern has been the potential loss of a public launching site in the eventuality that Hanson's Landing does indeed close. Anyone having ideas/suggestions for a replacement site should contact the BPA or your respective road representative.

As in the past, the officers and executive committee of your BPA are open to, indeed solicit, your suggestions for programs of interest to the majority of BPA membership. Comments/suggestions submitted through your respective road representative will be given every consideration.

We look forward to hearing from you and in the meantime have a nice winter. Stay warm and healthy 'til next spring and the start of another summer season at the lake.

A $2500 Source Water Protection grant from the Maine Department of Human Services to the City of Ellsworth will be used to protect the drinking water in Branch Lake, it has been announced by Dave Powers, director of the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The grant funding will be used to purchase shrubs, trees, and ground covers (mostly low growing junipers), which will be provided to home and cottage owners with shore frontage on Branch Lake. The plants will provide vegetative buffers within 50 feet of the lake or one of its tributaries to prevent erosion getting into the lake.

All planting will take place in early summer 1999 and the plants will be distributed through the Hancock County Soil and Water District. Powers said he will seek the assistance of the Branch Pond Association in identifying qualifying cottage and home owners, but that many details remain to be worked out. Those receiving plants must give approval for photographs to be taken of the plants after planting, according to Powers.

A designated site and date in early June will be set for those interested to pick up their plants, Powers noted.

If you are interested in receiving plants or are interested in the use of vegetative buffers to prevent erosion in lake waters, you should contact Powers at the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District office in Ellsworth. His telephone number is 207-664-7496. He also recommends a fact sheet that is available at his office entitled "Vegetative Phosphorous Buffer Strips."

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Editor's Note: While the summer has come and gone the memories of those golden days have been rekindled by Joyce Marshall. Here is a sample of lake activity as observed in one area bordering Branch Lake and which will assist in the reminiscing process during the long winter months.

Beth and Tim Smart hosted a neighborhood gathering on August 29, which was proclaimed as a very successful and wonderful effort.

The Pines, Allen and Linda, were the newest summertime residents. They have purchased the former Smith property on Hanson's Landing.

Ann and Andy Britt have been introduced as new year-round residents on the lake.

On Wildwood Drive, Jeffery Clarke has moved into his charming new home. Jeff's brother, Jason, and his wife are busy doing the landscaping to their new house. Looks great!

Speaking of the Clarkes, Donna has celebrated a well publicized, milestone birthday. Many are wondering who is going to pay what price for publishing her age. You won't read it here.

Don and Carol Marshall's family have celebrated the first year of full-time living on the lake in their new home. Jennie has returned to Ellsworth High School as a junior, while Christopher is still attending Husson College and will continue to be an avid Ellsworth Shop n' Save employee. Chris' friend, Sadie Damon, is polishing her chef skills at the Culinary Institute of America in New York.

Fred and Jane Jagels' son, Andy, has taken his basic training in Texas. He is a member of the Maine Air National Guard.

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Paul Wight was elected commissioner of the Branchview North Road Association at a meeting held July 19. He will be assisted by Marty Wolfe, Vince Griffin, and Pete DeAngelis. Elected secretary was Gloria DeAngelis while Sue McKay was elected treasurer. Members spent considerable time discussing the amendment to the State Law MRSA #3101, road work to be accomplished this year, and the budget.

Following the meeting some members expressed concern over the amount of algae and algae bloom around the shoreline. To address that problem, Wight had consultant Laura Wilson walk around the road with him to learn where phosphates from the road might be getting into the lake. Laura is a graduate student at the University of Maine sponsored by the Branch Pond Association to survey areas around the lake for causes of algae growth. She has pointed out problems along the road, driveways, and camp lots with suggested solutions.

As a follow up to the walk with Laura, Paul Wight, Marty Wolfe, Vince Griffin, and Pete DeAngelis also walked the road to evaluate and agree on work needing to be done and decide on contractual commitments.

The meeting was hosted by Marty and Barbara Wolfe who provided dessert and coffee.

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The Cove Road/Orchard Road Association held its annual work weekend Sept. 12-13 with camp owners and friends cutting and chipping brush and small trees to improve the visibility on the roadway. The removal of the trees and brush will also provide more sunlight on the roadbed to improve drying out and reduce rutting in the spring, according to CRORA president Bud Lee. Coordinating the activity this fall was Larry Blethen. Some 15 people showed up each day to complete the work all the way from route IA to the orchard.

Other work done on the roads this past fall included ditching along both sides, particularly on the Orchard Road, the replacement culverts, and the placing of catch basins.

The Branch Pond Sailing Club had another successful season in 1998 -and set a new record by having a social gathering after every race. George Lewis won the Hobie Cat class, as he has done each of the prior three years. Glen Curtis won the single hull class and has finished in first place each of the previous four years. George and Glen are record holders for the most races won since the races started in 1983.

Missing from the racing scene this past summer was Ron Fitzpatrick, who generally sets the standard as the boat to beat. Van Terrell found an unusual way to win a trophy-he turned his boat upside down, thus winning the Shipwreck Trophy for the summer. Paul Wight was the club's Commodore and he was assisted by Dave Hardy as timekeeper and Susan Terrell, Vice Commodore, as social chairperson.

The summer of 1999 promises to be another fine year for sailing on Branch Lake. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join in.

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An appeal has been issued by Cove Way, Tannery Brook Way, and Jones Point Way residents for all motorists using these roads to observe the 15 mph speed limit where cottages are located. Cove Way/Orchard Way Road Association president Bud Lee advises that the speed signs have been posted to protect the children who walk and play along the road, as well as the adults who walk, bike, and jog the road. Cottage owners, renters and guests alike are cautioned to drive carefully on the roads, which have been improved, significantly in recent years.

1999 BPA Annual Meeting: Friday, July 23, 7:30 p.m. at Ellsworth High School

Seven interested camp owners from Branch Lake participated in a workshop on Construction and Maintenance of Camp Roads on August 14 at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Building in Ellsworth. Five of the seven Branch Lake road associations were represented. The workshop, sponsored by the Hancock County Water and Soil Conservation District, covered during the morning session camp road erosion and water quality, erosion factors, camp road construction and maintenance techniques, vegetation buffers, and seeding.

The afternoon session included a field trip to several demonstration sites on Winkumpaugh Road. Hancock County engineer Ronald Dupuis spoke on the different techniques involved in the proper control of water run-off to minimize soil erosion. He emphasized that culvert size, location, and installation are all important factors to consider as is the geographic area from which the water will be accumulating.

He indicated his availability to work with the representatives from the road associations in designing proper water handling systems to improve erosion control.

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A watershed survey follow-up committee has been appointed for Branch Lake and is currently awaiting a report on the visitation of 135 sites identified as posing erosion problems for the lake. The visitation of the sites was made by Laura Wilson, special consultant on the project, Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District representatives and representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection. Suggestions have been made on how to correct the problems and the follow-up committee will contact the various road associations to see what progress they have made. A key function of the group is to provide and promote education on how to prevent erosion as well as identifying any additional funding that might be available. "We hope to support one another to fix the worst of the documented sites," says Ann Hayes, who chairs the follow-up committee. She noted that the committee is awaiting the completion of paper work on a state grant of $26,000 to proceed on work at five demonstration sites, if the landowners at those sites don't object.

One area where some work has already been accomplished as a result of a road construction workshop is the Phillips Beach Road. The most critical sites were selected and the problem addressed with fill, ditching, and some seeding.

Others on the follow-up committee include Joe Flanagan, Frank Howd, Brett Johnston, John Phillips, representing the City of Ellsworth, David Powers of the Soil and Water Conservation District, Beth Smart and Laura Wilson.

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At the annual meeting of the Branch Pond Association July 24 at Ellsworth High School, the 51 people in attendance were told by Larry Wilson of the Ellsworth Water Department that the expected repairs to the dam may reach $200,000. Wilson also asked outgoing BPA president Brett Johnston to invite all those interested to view the spring washout repairs at the Branch Pond Water Station in the Lower Lake In giving the dam report, Brett noted that the water level at that time was 6'10". He reported that he hoped to consult with Ron Brokaw, fish biologist, to see if water levels can be dropped in the winter to lessen spring erosion without hurting the fish eggs.

Guest speaker was Laura Wilson who updated members on the BPA Watershed Project, which started last October. She gave a slide presentation and answered questions. The treasurer's report noted that the account now totals $8,933.07 and that the association numbers 133. Gloria DeAngelis gave the loon count as five adults as seen on the official loon count day, but more than that have been spotted since, including four chicks.

Paul Wight gave the regatta report and listed about 12 boats competing each weekend. The Regatta started in 1983 and Paul has been Commodore and Dave Hardy has been the official timekeeper since 1986.

In his roads report Brett Johnston relayed a report from Ellsworth City Manager Tim King that the Gray Brook Bridge is scheduled to be constructs in 1999, if there are no further concerns from residents in that area.

Members voted to authorize the expenditure of $10 per person for up to two representatives of each road association to attend the Camp Roads Maintenance and Erosion Control workshop held August 14 at the Cooperative Extension Office in Ellsworth.

No boat launch sites appear available except for Sandy Beach. It was suggested that a committee be formed to learn about the Sandy Beach site and update information for inclusion in the newsletter. However, there were no volunteers for the committee.

Motions approved by majority: COLA annual dues will again be paid; the fee for a person attending the COLA annual meeting will be paid next year; up to $2,500 will be paid to Laura Wilson to remain as consultant on the Watershed Project, and it was suggested that the executive board set up a long range committee to oversee the recommendations made in the survey and consult with Laura for assistance; Norma and Charlie Graffam were elected to the executive board for three years to represent the Walls Farm Road.

Door prizes were won by Barbara Howe, Bev Curtis, Bob Totman, Ann Hayes, Peter DeAngelis, Jim Pazerakas, Chuck Rohn, Bill Cuffan, George Lewis, and Paul Wight. Thank You notes were sent to the following organizations for their donations of door prizes: Union River Lobster Pot, White Birches Golf Club, Ages Past Gift Shop, Ellsworth Car Wash. Thanks were also extended to Shop n' Save for the donation of paper goods and Ellsworth High School for the use of the auditorium.

The social hour was arranged by Muriel Jones and Joyce Marshall while the Lake Week Children's Art Contest pictures were on display for the fourth year. There were a total of 22 entries.